In keeping with our values and policies, our priority remains the safety and care of our members, our community and our employees, as we continue to provide an essential service. To do that, and because of the critical nature of our work, we must make responsible decisions based on information as it comes in.
We have instituted measures to safeguard our operations and protect the well-being and safety of our members and employees. These policies follow our own long-standing Emergency Preparedness Plan that include guidance on pandemics and the current recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to health and well-being concerns, we have also developed processes to address the economic concerns of members.
Health & Well-being
In keeping with the social distancing recommendations to help contain the spread of the virus, we have eliminated walk-in traffic at our office and our mobile unit will not travel. We know this is an inconvenience for many, but this decision is made with utmost concern for our community members. We will serve members and take bill payments through the drive-through, via telephone, mail, and online. We have also suspended non-essential field services, as well as all business travel.
Community Care
It’s clear that the local businesses that are the lifeblood of our community will begin to experience negative economic impacts. We too, are locally owned by the members we serve, and unlike investor owned utilities with millions of customers, we are non-profit. We will balance the financial stability with the needs of the businesses and households we serve. We will work with those that need financial relief on a case-by-case basis. These requests, as well as requests for new service, service disconnects and other business can be conducted by telephone, the drive-thru, and online.
These policies are effective, Monday, March 16th, 2020 through May 1, 2020. This situation is fluid. We will adapt to meet emerging concerns and needs, while we continue to offer a high level of service. We will keep you informed as we do, and we thank you for understanding. And we wish you all the very best.